Geneva – Ford is bringing hybrid electric vehicles to Europe, introducing first the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. It will go on sale in Europe together with the C-MAX Hybrid in 2013. Both are based on the C-MAX five-passenger multi-activity vehicle.

Both the C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid vehicles to be sold in Europe will be built at Ford’s plant in Valencia, Spain.

The C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid uses Ford's powersplit architecture, next-generation driver information features and advanced lithium-ion battery systems.

C-MAX Energi provides maximum fuel efficiency by pairing a high-voltage lithium-ion battery and electric traction motor with a high-efficiency Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine. This allows it to run in electric mode before using the gasoline engine.

In total, C-MAX Energi will offer more than 800 kilometres (500 miles) of overall driving range using the battery and engine – more than any other plug-in or extended-range electric vehicle.

C-MAX Energi will use advanced lithium-ion battery systems developed and assembled in-house by Ford in North America. Each system is smartly designed to maximise the use of common, high-quality components, such as control board hardware that has proven field performance in Ford’s current, critically acclaimed hybrid vehicles.

Li-ion battery packs offer a number of advantages over the nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries that power today’s hybrid vehicles. In general, they are 25 to 30 per cent smaller and 50 per cent lighter, which makes them easier to package in a vehicle, and can be tuned to increase power to boost acceleration or to increase energy to extend driving distance.

C-MAX Energi will benefit from daily charging to maximise its all-electric range. Thanks to the efficiencies of its right-sized battery system, the plug-in hybrid easily recharges 100 per cent overnight on a 230-volt outlet.

On start-up, C-MAX Energi will operate in charge-depletion mode, providing electric driving range. When the battery has been depleted or certain conditions are met, it switches to charge-sustaining hybrid mode for continued optimal fuel efficiency. Pure E-mode can also be chosen via a button, with a limited top speed of a maximum 70 km/h for a range, which will match the daily city commuting distances.

C-MAX Energi owners will have access to a suite of driver information systems – on-board and off-board – designed to help them manage the recharge process, manage the most eco-friendly route on-board, remotely control their vehicle’s charge and preconditioning settings, monitor battery state of charge and maximise energy efficiency to extend use of electric mode.

Among these tools is a unique execution of MyFord Touch driver connect technology, especially for electrified driving. It offers exceptional configurability of vehicle information, including fuel level, battery power level, and average and instant fuel consumption.

The cluster’s new MyView feature allows drivers to access even more vehicle data, such as the electrical demands of vehicle accessories, including air conditioning, which influences fuel economy and the electric driving range of the C-MAX Energi.

C-MAX Energi is one of five electrified vehicles that Ford will bring to the European and North American market during the next three years. In addition, the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van, built in collaboration with Azure Dynamics, is being introduced in Europe this year and the all-new Focus Electric will launch in 2012. An additional next-generation hybrid electric vehicle will be announced later and available in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013.